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Grab your beer stein and strap on your lederhosen because you are about to take a journey to Bavaria! Well, kind of. Without even leaving Washington State, feel like a world traveler with a visit to the very unique mountain village of Leavenworth, WA. After undergoing a makeover in the 1960’s from a nearly extinct logging town to the look and feel of a real Bavarian village, Leavenworth has played host to fabulous seasonal festivities including Oktoberfest and Town Christmas Lighting Ceremonies, becoming an annual tradition for many Washington State residents.

In addition to the incredible backdrop of mountain peaks and the Salmon rich Icicle Creek running through town, part of what makes Leavenworth so incredible is how authentic your Bavarian experience feels. And it is just a whole lot of fun! As you stroll along the streets of downtown, you feel as though you have been lifted to another world in both time and place. Tucked along the sidewalks are adorable shops that open up to a treasure trove of Alpine treats from the Cheesemonger’s Shop to Kris Kringl— “Where it’s Christmas All Year Long!” And if you are looking for a place to dine, expect to find great German specialties such as Schweine Schnitzel and, of course, beer.

If you are ready to plan a “Bavarian” vacation, whether it is for just a day or a longer stay, now is the time to go:

Leavenworth’s Oktoberfest, October 9 – With a Clipper Leavenworth excursion leave the driving to us. Catch spectacular fall colors on your way to Oktoberfest as you sit back and relax in deluxe motor coach. Without the worry of driving to Washington’s premier beer and cultural event, experience a full day of festivities including a parade of Bavarian musicians and a ceremonial “tapping of the keg” by the town’s mayor. The cost is only $77 per person and includes: Round trip motor coach between Seattle or Bellevue and Leavenworth, Continental breakfast basket, & Admission to Festhalle.

Leavenworth’s Town & Tree Lighting, December 4, 5, 11, 12 & 18 – Imagine a beautiful snow-dusted gazebo, thousands of bundled up carolers singing favorite holiday tunes as the winter night is filled with dazzling lights. You could be one of those carolers! On our Leavenworth Town & Tree Lighting excursion, you’ll board a motor coach in Seattle and head for the Bavarian town of Leavenworth. From only $59 per person, your Leavenworth day trip includes: Round trip motor coach between Seattle (or various other pick up locations) and Leavenworth, Continental breakfast basket served onboard, & Tour escort.

I think it goes without saying that when you travel; a big part of your cultural experience is… eating at new places! As an avid traveler and diner, I have found the best deal in the Northwest is the
Passport Unlimited Card. If you haven’t yet heard of it then you are really missing out. The passport card gets you buy one get one free entrée (actual terms are – the lowest price adult entrée in the party is compliments of the restaurant). You can use your card at specified (great restaurants!) in Washington, California, Idaho, Illinois, Oregon, and Vancouver, BC.

Top Picks You Shouldn’t Miss;

Seattle
Buenos Aires Grill — You can get out and have a real experience (whilst saving money by using your card) at the Buenos Aires Grill. The raison d’etre is this restaurant has exquisite tango dancers that perform Friday and Saturday nights. Delicious Argentinean food coupled with a sultry atmosphere makes this a great place for a romantic date or for a dinner party with old friends.

Twist – If you are traveling to Seattle in search of night life than Twist is a great place to wind down. After you have crawled your way through Seattle into the late night hours and need a little something to eat, that isn’t a street side dog! The crowd is lively and the décor is posh. The calamari is D-lish!

Portland
Isabel Pearl – The Pearl district downtown Portland is known for its fabulous boutiques and superb dining. Amongst the many options is a little gem, Isabel Pearl. She is both the chef and cookbook author. Her cuisine offers a myriad of color and flavor that makes you forget that you are eating something healthy. It offers vegans, vegetarians and even low-carb dieters a place where they can feed their soul.

Vancouver, BC
I have yet to try out the Passport Card options in Vancouver, BC. They are Carmelo Ristorante Italiaono; La Piazza Dario; La Gavroche and Pepitas.
Where to next?

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The Moonlight Cinema Series is a favorite summer time event in Seattle. The Moonlight Series is a great way to gather friends and family to enjoy a movie outdoors in the grassy amphitheater, otherwise known as, The Bowl, while enjoying some great tasting specialty brews. This is one Seattle summertime event that I have sadly not been able to experience, but I have made a note to meet up with some friends in the next few Thursdays before the last movie plays on August 26th.

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Delta Grand Okanagan Lakefront Resort and Conference Centre along Lake Okanagan

In Seattle, we are blessed with so many options when it comes to choosing a summer getaway destination.  For those who are looking for a place that has an energetic vibe and countless outdoor activities for fun in the sun, the place to go is Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia.

The drive from Seattle to this summer playground takes about 6 hours and offers beautiful scenery along the way.  As with most cities in the Northwest, the journey there is part of the experience.  You will see gorgeous evergreens, snow-capped mountains, waterfalls and finally the rolling hills basking in sun-kissed Kelowna.

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Whistler Village

Thanks to the 2010 Summer Olympics, Whistler, BC has been getting a lot of attention, but this picturesque mountain village has been a local favorite for many years. Though a lot of its popularity comes from the world-class skiing/snowboarding that can be found at Whistler-Blackcomb, summer getaways at Whistler are getting plenty of buzz. Plus, summer is “off-season” at Whistler, so you’ll find that there are good deals on packages that you won’t find during the prime “ski season” months.

Whistler Village is a small hamlet filled with great food, pubs and shopping. The mountains and lakes provide a spectacular backdrop to the alpine architecture, and, since Whistler Village is pedestrian only, you won’t need to worry about the hassle of traffic or parking. Take a stroll around the Village and you’ll find about 200 stores and 90 restaurants to satisfy all of your dining and shopping needs. My personal recommendations? Shop Whistler village in summer for deals on your ski and snow gear and don’t miss having a fondue dinner to complete the “alpine experience.”

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Portland, OR train station.

Portland Amtrak Station

I love Portland, Oregon. I’ve loved it ever since our first visit many, many years ago. And every time I visit I discover something new about it that makes me love it even more. It’s one of those cities you enjoy by aimlessly wandering and discovering so many exciting things around every corner. Or if you prefer you can plan your entire trip to make sure you see the Rose Garden, the Japanese Garden, the Fine Arts Museum, the waterfront, the farmer’s market, Powell’s books…the list goes on and on.

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Lavender Festival from Seattle

Lavender growing along a Seattle sidewalk.

On my walk to work this morning, I could hardly miss the distinct and sweetly fragrant smell of lavender plants popping out of my neighbor’s yard along the sidewalk. Ah, yes! Summer is here and it has been signaled by these joyous purple buds.

Here in Seattle we only get a small taste of what lavender season is all about, but you don’t have to go far to really immerse yourself in it. Just hours from Seattle, Sequim, Washington is the lavender capital of the world and has been hosting a celebration centered on lavender going on 14 years now. Read the rest of this entry »

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Welcome to our official Clipper Vacations blog! We’re glad to have a place to personally share with you the best travel deals in the Pacific Northwest.

Clipper Vacations really is your Northwest travel expert – we’ve been doing this for 24 years and have provided transportation, tours and accommodation packages for over 6 million customers. We have so much to offer from the Victoria Clipper – our passenger ferry – to great hotel deals and tours that take your vacation from ordinary to extraordinary! We invite you to join us in this new adventure!

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Victoria Clipper in SeattleEngines rev, passengers safely seated, dock lines released, and the boat pulls away – excitement, adventure, fun – it starts every day at Clipper Vacations.  Now you can read all about it on the Clipper Vacations blog!

Here you’ll find the latest Pacific Northwest travel news and events, learn about amazing destinations and hidden retreats, we’ll share with you insider tips for great vacations and let you know our best specials and offers.

So bookmark this blog, email to a friend/colleague or add our RSS feed and let’s explore together. And of course, we’d love getting your feedback on this blog – and hearing about your experiences with travel in the Pacific Northwest.

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